“When will Walt Disney World release 2023 dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?” and “why haven’t tickets for MNSSHP gone on sale yet?” are widespread reader questions we’ve been receiving with elevated frequency this month. We’ll attempt to reply based mostly on what we all know based mostly on historic launch dates, present traits, previous demand, and extra.
As with all of those speculative posts, we’ll begin by underscoring the truth that Madame Leota isn’t employed by this weblog, which is to say that we don’t have a crystal ball. No one may give you a definitive reply about when Walt Disney World will announce 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates or tickets. The similar holds true for just about something that hasn’t been formally introduced, launched internally, or leaked.
So for those who’re the type of one that, prior to now, has complained that this sort of prognostication submit is a “waste of time,” then there’s nothing for you right here. Consider as an alternative subscribing to our free e-mail publication for fast alerts, which can present you an replace when 2023 MNSSHP dates are formally introduced by Walt Disney World. This submit is most actually not that, however fairly, our long-winded try to supply perception in response the above reader questions…
With that out of the best way, now we have some excellent news: what’s previous is prologue.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is hardly a brand new occasion, and there’s a ton of precedent relating to announcement and ticket gross sales dates over time. In reality, one among massive motivators for this submit is compiling historic information. I all the time find yourself digging by means of previous press releases to reply these questions, so fairly than repeating that course of over and over, it is smart to compile the final a number of years right here. I’ve additionally added dates and pricing for individuals who are curious–or simply need to distinction this 12 months’s numbers with the previous!
In 2017, ticket gross sales for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party began on May 10. That 12 months, costs began at $74 for adults and $69 for youngsters (3-9).
According to Walt Disney World, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party began sooner than ever in 2017, with events operating on August 25 & 29; September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 & 29; October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 & 31; and November 1.
That sprung ahead considerably the next 12 months, with March 19, 2018 being the date that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets went on sale. MNSSHP ticket costs began at $75, amounting to solely a $1 improve from the prior 12 months.
The 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was held for a record-setting 34 nights, with dates on August 17, 24, 28, 31; September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30; and October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31.
It’s probably price noting that each of these years, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets additionally went on sale the identical day that MNSSHP tickets had been launched. This was a reasonably widespread apply on the time, however didn’t all the time happen.
It additionally wasn’t all the time the case that the announcement and gross sales date coincided. We don’t have constant information, however it seems widespread for dates to be launched in late March or April and tickets to go on sale in early May in earlier years.
The following 12 months was even earlier, with tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party being launched on January 15, 2019. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets began at $79 in 2019.
That 12 months set one other file, with 36 nights and an earlier begin and later finish. Here had been the MNSSHP dates for 2019: August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30; September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29; October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1.
It now looks as if an eternity in the past, however again in 2019, Walt Disney World additionally provided the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Pass. This was basically an Annual Pass for the Halloween Party that allowed entry to 35 nights–each social gathering night time in August, September, October, and November apart from Halloween itself for $299.
This was actually a last-minute providing, being introduced and occurring sale the day of the primary MNSSHP, as Walt Disney World scrambled to buoy ticket gross sales for August and September. That was the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and many individuals steered away from the parks (each in Florida and California) throughout that land’s opening months out of fears that it might be chaotic.
That was the precise reverse of what Walt Disney World was anticipated, with the parks asserting “Extra, Extra Magic Hours” and a spread of different choices meant to capitalize on an anticipated inflow of company in August and September. The early launch of MNSSHP tickets possible performed into that plan. Instead, the dreaded “crowdpocalypse” stored many Walt Disney World followers away who would usually go to through the late summer time or early fall.
Fast-forward to 2021, when Disney After Hours Boo Bash was introduced as a substitute for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party following a hiatus in 2020. That new occasion was unveiled as a part of the “Halfway to Halloween” festivities on May 7, 2021. Tickets went on sale starting June 8 for on-site resort company and June 15 for most people.
Disney After Hours Boo Bash was held on 23 choose nights, beginning August 10 and persevering with by means of October 31 from 9 p.m. to midnight most nights (9:30 pm to 12:30 am on different evenings). This capacity-constrained occasion was basically completely different from MNSSHP, and costs mirrored that. Tickets began at $129 – $139 for August/September nights; $159 – $169 for October nights; and $199 for Halloween.
Last 12 months, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party made its triumphant return. This was once more introduced throughout Walt Disney World’s “Halfway to Halloween,” however curiously, the midway level moved ahead to April 28. Tickets went on sale starting May 12 for on-site resort company and May 18 for most people.
Taking place on 37 choose nights, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party set a brand new file for earliest begin date and most occasion nights. It additionally returned to its customary schedule of hours from 7 p.m. to midnight, and was not capacity-constrained in the identical was as After Hours Boo Bash.
As a consequence, ticket costs decreased on the low finish as in comparison with Boo Bash, however had been nonetheless a file excessive (by a large margin) relative to MNSSHP in earlier years. Ticket costs ranged from $109 to $199 in 2022, with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party occasion dates August 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30; and October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.
As you may see from the vary of launch dates above, there’s little or no consistency to when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets go on sale annually. It has been as early as January and as late as May. Walt Disney World planners could bemoan this, because it makes planning tough.
Just be glad you’re not Disneyland followers, because the Halloween social gathering there has traditionally been introduced a lot later annually. That truly brings up an necessary level, because the aforementioned inconsistency turns into a lot simpler to reconcile when accounting for a significant component…
Anticipated demand goes a great distance in explaining the discharge dates over time, with a few notable exceptions. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins through the low season, normally proper as colleges return into session and crowd ranges plummet. This has occurred constantly and predictably at Walt Disney World in mid-August and September, and though some guests could declare in any other case, this stays the slowest 2 month stretch of the complete 12 months.
Consequently, Walt Disney World has usually had a tough time promoting tickets to the occasion in August and September; it has been uncommon for these social gathering nights to promote out. This is exactly why August and September all the time have considerably decrease costs on common than October.
Circling again to 2019 through the dreaded “crowdpocalypse,” Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party didn’t promote out a single date in August that 12 months. The majority of September was the identical story, with no dates promoting out previous to the September 27 social gathering.
In whole, a 13 nights of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party bought out that 12 months, together with a majority of the October dates. However, that is “only” 13 nights on reflection, given how effectively the 2022 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is promoting. At the time, 13 nights was unprecedented as a result of it was greater than ever earlier than.
In 2018, solely 5 nights of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party bought out. That quantity was even decrease in 2016, with 4 nights promoting out. (This was regardless of fewer events–the primary 12 months there have been over 30 events was 2017. That date whole jumped from 26 in 2014 to 36 in 2019.)
You’d should go all the best way again to 2014 and 2015 to see greater numbers of bought out MNSSHP dates, when 11 nights bought out in every of these years. Prior to that, it was widespread for less than a handful of nights to promote out annually. Halloween night time was all the time one among them, even at greater costs. Conversely, earlier dates was once priced round $50…and nonetheless didn’t promote out!
Fast-forward to final 12 months, when over half of all Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party nights bought out by the morning after the primary night time the occasion was held. By September 11, each single date had bought out for advance on-line buy. (It was fairly widespread for same-day walk-up availability at Magic Kingdom, however that’s not altogether unprecedented.)
On the plus aspect, for those who’re anxiously awaiting Walt Disney World to launch 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates and tickets since you’re fearful about it promoting out, don’t. Even with final 12 months setting the file for bought out dates, nothing was gone till June 30. That’s when Halloween night time bought out. It wasn’t till July 28 that the subsequent date bought out, and no different nights operating out of tickets till August. That all occurred sooner than regular, too.
In different phrases, the 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is not going to promote out inside days of tickets occurring sale. That applies to each the presale window and most people window. Honestly, our expectation is that 2023 tickets will promote considerably slower than final 12 months.
To that time, there are numerous potential methods to elucidate why MNSSHP bought so effectively and rapidly final 12 months. Pent-up demand is a giant one; each for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as an occasion (that hadn’t been held since 2019!) and for Walt Disney World normally. Many followers had postponed fall journeys for a number of years, relationship again to 2019 when the dreaded “crowdpocalypse” precipitated many guests to delay journeys till 2020…after which cancel once more.
There was additionally stimulus cash, greater family financial savings, and a renewed emphasis on touring or making up for misplaced time. Another underappreciated issue is the dearth of recent Annual Pass gross sales on the time, which implies some locals possible bought MNSSHP to get their Walt Disney World repair. (That’s a giant contributor to Oogie Boogie Bash’s reputation at Disneyland Resort.) The lack of AP gross sales will quickly be rectified, however it stays to be seen whether or not that’s a problem come social gathering season.
With that mentioned, the recognition of final 12 months’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party shouldn’t be minimized as a relic of its time-frame or an anomaly. Those events bought out regardless of extra of them, a considerably greater capability cap than Boo Bash, and substantial worth will increase relative to the final Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party earlier than that. Substantial Cast Members had additionally been ubiquitous in prior years to drive attendance (the vacation events are significantly standard with College Program individuals) and that was not the case final 12 months.
In different phrases, there are explanations for the recognition of final 12 months’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that won’t apply in 2023. However, it might be silly to forecast considerably decrease gross sales (or costs) consequently; there have been many elements driving the recognition of MNSSHP final 12 months, and not less than a few of these will as soon as once more be current in 2023.
The backside line is that Walt Disney World goes to really feel a a lot decrease sense of urgency to launch 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates and tickets on account of final 12 months’s demand. Even if inner attendance forecasts are mushy for late this summer time and fall (they usually in all probability are given discounting), the occasion ought to keep its reputation. (Also price noting that demand did drop unexpectedly beginning final July–possible as a consequence of a spike in fuel costs–and MNSSHP nonetheless bought extremely effectively.)
Another wildcard is the potential return of Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom. For those that are unfamiliar with this occasion, it was a tough ticket occasion After Hours at Magic Kingdom, however themed to villains. Enhancements included Villains Unite the Night stage present that includes Meg and Hades from Hercules, Maleficent the Dragon rolling down the parade route, and attraction overlays. This was truly a extremely stable “plussing” to the usual After Hours at Magic Kingdom, and we’ve been eagerly awaiting its return.
Villains After Hours was additionally not the primary time that Walt Disney World has tried a tough ticket summertime occasion. We’ve talked about the Pirate & Princess Party many instances earlier than, together with in our Top 10 Extinct Things Walt Disney World Should Bring Back. That occasion “failed,” however virtually solely as a result of it was held through the Great Recession at a time when the parks attracted many tens of millions fewer company per 12 months than now. It can be an enormous hit if revived in 2023! But I digress.
Back in 2019, Villains After Hours was introduced in early April. Tickets didn’t go on sale till April 29, and had been priced at $139 plus tax upfront or $144 plus tax on the occasion night time (with $30 reductions for Annual Passholders and DVC Members. Villains After Hours was held on choose nights June 6 by means of August 8, and returned once more the next 12 months for a short run earlier than the parks closed. It has not returned since, however its official webpage nonetheless exists. (Walt Disney World has purged most pages for extinct leisure.)
The level is that if Villains After Hours had been to return for Summer 2023, I believe that it might be introduced first and be given a while to “breathe.” Walt Disney World could not need to cannibalize ticket gross sales for that occasion with information of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, even when it’s widespread information that MNSSHP will return for 2023.
With that mentioned, I personally develop growing skeptical that Walt Disney World will do a summer time particular occasion this 12 months with every passing day that one isn’t introduced. Perhaps staffing shortages for leisure are in charge; perhaps the corporate is assured that ticket gross sales for normal After Hours at Magic Kingdom can be robust; it may be a matter of determining logistics for TRON Lightcycle Run (simply do standby throughout these occasions!).
Ultimately, my expectation is that Walt Disney World does one other “Halfway to Halloween” occasion on the finish of this month or in early May 2023 and declares dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the moment. It’s tough to get extra particular than that for the date.
On the one hand, final 12 months’s record-setting ticket gross sales possible cut back the sense of urgency to launch 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates and tickets. On the opposite hand, this 12 months is already proving very completely different from final; extra resort reductions have already been launched, they usually’ve come earlier and been higher than historic norms. If there are inner considerations about softer numbers do to fizzling pent-up demand, it might behoove Disney to maneuver quicker and lock-in MNSSHP ticket gross sales ASAP.
No matter how or when the announcement is made, I’d additional predict that tickets will go on sale a pair weeks after the announcement and as soon as once more be staggered for on-site and off-site company to create a way of urgency and maybe demand for on-site lodging.
This is all hardly a daring prognostication, because it’s roughly what has occurred within the final two years. With that in thoughts, right here’s my particular prediction: Walt Disney World declares dates, costs, and when tickets will go on sale for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on May 2, 2023. That provides a little bit of respiratory room to the resumption of Annual Pass gross sales, permits for one more After Hours announcement, and is shut sufficient to the midway level to Halloween. That’s simply my guess, although–we’ll preserve you posted when one thing is truly, formally introduced.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you’re fascinated with studying extra about inns, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page is an efficient place to begin. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews web page. If you need to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind you need to get, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues you need to take in your journey. Once you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those subjects and a lot extra, the very best place to begin is our complete Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to take advantage of your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
When do you assume 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates can be introduced? Expect ticket gross sales to begin the identical day, or with a delay? Did you attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World final 12 months? Planning on attending once more this 12 months, or had been you a part of the ‘pent-up demand’ crowd? What did you consider the ‘sold out’ crowds? Think it was well worth the excessive ticket worth? Thoughts on the Boo to You Parade, HalloWishes Fireworks, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, or some other leisure? Any different suggestions, likes or dislikes? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!